Villegas to defend Tokai Classic title
IN: News | Japan | Coca-Cola Tokai Classic (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 30 Sep 2008
Camilo Villegas, now the number 7th ranked player in the world and the recipient of US$4.26 million at last week’s Tour Championship, will this week play in front of huge galleries in Nagoya in Japan.
Villegas earned US$3 million in the recent FedEx Cup series for finishing a close second behind Vijay Singh in addition to the first prize of US$1.26 million for winning the Tour Championship.
This week he defends the Tokai Classic title he secured last year at the Miyoshi Country Club after securing his very first victory as a professional. Villegas also finished 3rd in the event in 2006.
Such is the progress of Villegas of late that he has improved from 58th in the world ranking in January to 7th after his win in Atlanta, much of that due to a run of form in recent weeks that has seen him finish 4th at the PGA Championship, 3rd at the Deutsche Bank and then record consecutive wins at the BMW and the Tour Championships.
Villegas is reportedly being paid a huge fee to defend the Tokai Classic title he won last year after a playoff with Toyokazu Fujishima. Given his current status in the game and his potential to attract a wide range of fans to the event, tournament organisers may well feel such a fee is more than reasonable, especially given his recent performances, which likely came after his re-appearance in Japan was negotiated.
Villegas’ brother Manuel has also gained a start in the event, no doubt leveraged by his older brother’s involvement.
Ten events remain on the 2008 Japan Golf Tour, including the end of season Golf Nippon Series, a restricted field event.
Australasians in the field this week include Brendan Jones, David Smail, Steve Conran, Scott Laycock, Chris Campbell, Wayne Perske and Eddie Lee.
